This is one of the most useful new features of Flash CS3. It enables you to convert a Motion Tween animation into ActionScript 3.0. This means that you can create a reusable script that can be applied to any object in Flash. It also means that you can open up existing Flash files and copy the animation into a new file and apply it to new objects in a few clicks.

Example: Download
the Flash file Int 102a

Copying a Motion Tween and creating an animation with ActionScript 3.0.

Step One: Setting up the Flash Document

Open a New Flash Document: File > New (Ctrl N)

If the General Tab is not selected, select it:

Select Flash Document: Flash File(ActionScript 3.0)

Click: OK

Go to: Modify > Document(Ctrl J)

Set the size to: 150 x 150 px

Select a: Background colour

Click: OK

Step Two: Create a Symbol to Animate

I am going to use some text as a the content for my symbol. In truth you could use anything such as a drawing, photo, clip art or any combination.

You can create any Motion Tween that you like as long as it is in a single Layer. The Motion Tween can contain multiple Keyframes and span multiple tweens. It may also contain empty frames. The Motion Tween may also contain any of the following elements: Blend Mode, Cache As Bitmap Setting, Color, Custom Easing, Filters, Frame Labels, Motion Guides, Orientation To Path, Position, Rotation, Scale, Scale, Skew, Transformation Point.

I am going to make the text spin and blur. You can of course create any Motion Tween that you like.

Select your: Symbol

Open the Align Panel: Window > Align(Ctrl K)

If the Align to Stage button is not selected, select it:

Click the Align to Horizontal Center:

Click the Align to Vertical Center:

In the Timeline select: Frame 1

In the Property Inspector select: Tween > Motion

In the Property Inspector select: Ease > -100

In the Property Inspector select: Rotate > CW

In the Property Inspector select: Rotate Times > 3

Select: Frame 25

Insert a Keyframe: Insert > Timeline > Keyframe(F6)

In the Property Inspector select: Ease > 100

In the Property Inspector select: Rotate > CCW

Select: Frame 50

Insert a Keyframe: Insert > Timeline > Keyframe(F6)

In the Property Inspector select: Tween > None

Select: Frame 60

Insert a Keyframe: Insert > Timeline > Keyframe(F6)

Go back to: Frame 25

Select your: Symbol

If the Filter Properties are closed, open them: Window > Properties > Filters

In the Filter Panel select: > Blur

In the Filter Panel select Blur X: 25

In the Filter Panel select Blur Y: 25

Test your Movie: Control > Test Movie(Ctrl Enter)

Close your Test Movie Window:

Step Four: Create the ActionScript 3.0

In the Timeline select: Layer 1

Go to: Edit > Timeline > Copy as ActionScript 3.0

For Instance Name type: mySpin

Click: OK

Create a new Layer: Insert > Timeline > Layer

In the new Layer select: Frame 1

If the Actions Panel is closed, open it: Window > Actions(F9)

If Script Assist is on, Switch it off:

Place your cursor in the first line of the Actions Panel: Line 1

Paste the ActionScript. On your Keyboard press: Ctrl V

If your Library is closed, open it: Window > Library(Ctrl L or F11)

Drag a copy of your symbol onto the Stage: myMC

In the Property Inspector give your Symbol the Instance Name: mySpin

Test your Movie: Control > Test Movie(Ctrl Enter)

Close your Test Movie Window:

Your Movie is now complete. If you wish you could now delete your original Motion Tween.

Have fun.

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